The male lead, that elder brother who refuses to eat (51)

"Are you really, truly sure you don't want to move in with your uncle? Then how about I come stay with you? I'm genuinely worried." At the elevator entrance, Cheng Yiming was pestering him relentlessly, his tone earnest and persuasive.

"Are you afraid I'll disturb the two of you? I won't. Do you think your uncle is that lacking in social awareness? Besides, you know how busy I am with work; what could I possibly interrupt? Come on, Yu, let your uncle come up."

Xie Yu replied, "Since you are so busy with work, Uncle, I certainly shouldn't take up any more of your time. Please head back."

Cheng Yiming thought to himself: My nephew feels a bit strange today, but I can't quite put my finger on why. Could it be because he's being far too polite to me?

"At the very least... let me meet the girl, won't you? If you've upset her, refusing to let her see any of your elders is hardly being respectful to her, is it?" Cheng Yiming clung to the elevator door, refusing to budge.

He noticed a flicker of hesitation on his nephew's face.

"Really, you don't want her to be sad, do you? I promise, I'll just go up and say a few words to her."

"Have I... upset her?" Xie Yu looked at Cheng Yiming, his gaze chilling slightly.

Cheng Yiming retorted, "If not you, then who? Me?"

"So, what kind of... upsetting do you mean?"

Cheng Yiming stared, dumbfounded, before erupting in frustration. "Spare me your nauseating displays of affection. I have no interest in the details of your bedroom life."

Cheng Yiming pushed Xie Yu aside and pressed the elevator button. The doors slid open, and Cheng Yiming stepped inside, only to turn and find Xie Yu still standing there, dazed.

"Get in already, what are you staring at?"

Xie Yu composed himself and stepped into the elevator, standing beside his uncle.

A minute later...

Cheng Yiming glared at the motionless Xie Yu, reached past him, and pressed the floor button. Xie Yu watched his movements without blinking, then quickly turned his head to scan his surroundings.

"I've noticed you've been looking around constantly today. Does everything seem interesting to you?"

Xie Yu coughed. "Do I?"

Cheng Yiming gave him a probing look. "Was there something wrong with today's hypnotherapy session? Or did it leave you feeling uncomfortable in any way?"

"No," Xie Yu replied, eyes downcast, signaling a complete refusal to communicate.

Cheng Yiming was filled with worry, but dared not press further. The two fell into silence.

Cheng Yiming stepped out of the elevator first. Xie Yu followed closely behind, hearing him mutter to himself, "Your girlfriend is home, right? Is it rude of us to just drop by like this? Though, she probably won't mind. Actually, I’m quite curious about her, so you don't mind if we go see her first, do you?"

"I don't."

In fact, it was exactly what he had been hoping for.

Cheng Yiming knew the apartment number where Xie Yu lived, so the remaining door must be the girlfriend's. He stood at the entrance and gestured to Xie Yu. "You knock."

Xie Yu stepped forward, but just as he raised his hand, the door clicked open.

"Yu, you're back?"

Si Jiu stood before him, barefoot, looking at him with delight.

Xie Yu’s gaze fixed on her large, clear eyes, and a warmth welled up from the depths of his gaze, melting into a river of gentleness. He took Si Jiu’s hand, pressed a light kiss to the back of it, and murmured, "Your Highness, I have returned."

As he spoke, he bent down and scooped her up with one arm. "Why aren't you wearing shoes?"

Like a child being held by an adult, Si Jiu sat on his arm, her gaze sweeping over his white gloves, then his face, before landing on Cheng Yiming, who stood just behind his shoulder, looking utterly stunned.

"Dr. Cheng?"

Cheng Yiming felt a pang of awkwardness, unsure whether to gouge out his own eyes or ears. He greeted her stiffly, "Miss Xu, hello."

Cheng Yiming thought: My nephew really knows how to play the game. He can slip into roleplay right in front of me. What must they be like in private? Truly, it’s not the openly flashy ones you have to fear, but the quiet, repressed ones—they are the real lethal weapons. Damn... I've got goosebumps!